HYMN STORIES

“AND NOW YOU KNOW….”

We are encouraged, uplifted and sometimes even challenged by some of the songs and hymns we sing so often. You might wonder what inspired the writing and composition of these songs. There is a story behind each one. Most often these stories will give even more meaning to the already powerful blessing these songs are. In this library, you will find reasons and life experiences that God used to provide us with wonderful messages in music. These are historical accounts of hymns and songs used in the programs of Hope Today.

MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD

MY HOPE IS IN THE LORD is a twentieth century hymn composed by Norman Clayton in 1945. He was born in 1903, the ninth of ten children, and converted to faith at the age of 6 at the church in South Brooklyn where his mother had been a founding member. Norman became the church organist by age 12 and maintained that role for the rest of his life. Although he had a varied career working on a dairy farm, at an office in New York, in construction, and in a bakery, he eventually

Feb 9

MY FAITH LOOKS UP TO THEE

Ray Palmer was born in 1808 on Rhode Island in the United States. Due to a family financial difficulty, Ray had to abandon his schooling at age 13 and take a job in Boston. While there, he attended the historic Park Street Congregational Church, and it was there that he accepted Christ as Saviour. Sensing the call of God on his life, he soon became a minister of the Gospel. The year following his graduation from Yale University in 1830, he became very discouraged as he ba

Feb 9

MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOUR

Our hymn today exhorts us to let the mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus. The text was written by Kate Barclay Wilkinson, who was born in August 1859. Kate was working with young women in West London, and it seems was actively involved in the Keswick Deeper Life Convention movement. In the late 19 th and early 20 th centuries, Keswick was the sight of a series of meetings designed to promote more devotion to Christ. The desire of the believer is that as they ma

Feb 9

MARY DID YOU KNOW...

In 1984, while Mark Lowry was writing a program for the Living Christmas Tree at his church, he became fascinated with the concept that God came to earth. In a conversation with his mother...herself a singer, songwriter and pianist...she made a profound statement to Mark when she said, “If anyone on earth knew for sure that Jesus was virgin born – Mary knew!” Mark began to write a list of questions that he would like to ask Mary if he ever had the chance. Questions like,

Feb 9

MAJESTY

100 programs of the radio program, HOPE TODAY…a milestone that only was achieved by the inspiration, strength and provision from our Lord God! No matter who you talk to on our team…they will testify of the plan that God has brought about in Hope Today. We were really just trying to stay in tune with His direction and follow His guidance. God’s work at Light & Life Programming has been such a blessing that all we can do is Praise Him! This experience brings to our minds t

Feb 9

LOVE LIFTED ME

James Rowe was a New Year’s baby, 1865 in Devonshire, England. As a young Man, James went to work for the Irish government, but when he was in his mid-twenties, he decided to immigrate to the United States. Settling in Albany, New York, he soon married and found work with the railroad. Later, he became superintendent of the Hudson River Humane Society before eventually choosing a career as a full-time writer. He composed hymns and edited music journals for several publish

Feb 9

LORD, I’M COMING HOME

There are many reasons to write a song. So often, the lyrics and music will flow from an experience of life or an inspiration from God as He reveals Himself to the composer. Sometimes this inspiration comes in a unique way and for a unique purpose!. Our story today is one of those stories for sure!! William Kirkpatrick was the minister of music at Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia; he was also a popular musician on the summer Camp Revival Meeting circuit.

Feb 9

LO! HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING

LO, HOW A ROSE E’ER BLOOMING, is a familiar and beloved Advent Hymn. This hymn’s origin begins years ago in the late 16 th century. Although there is some speculation as to the story, it apparently can be traced back to a manuscript found in St. Alban’s monastery in Trier, Germany. Some sources say that the original version contained between 19 and 23 stanzas that focused on the events of Luke chapters 1 and 2 and Matthew chapter 2. Some sources claim that the focus of

Feb 9

LIVING FOR JESUS

In Ocean Park, New Jersey in the 1950’s, you could often see Thomas Chisholm, a frail figure, ducking in and out of the cafés and shops. You might also hear people whispering behind his back, “You see that Man? He is the author of ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ and ‘ O to Be Like Thee’ , and LIVING FOR JESUS! " He lived in the Methodist Home for the Aged to enjoy his sunset years. Thomas was born in 1866 in a log cabin. He had a sparse education, but yet at the age of 16

Feb 9

LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS

In 1876, while vacationing in the south of Wales, Frances Havergal caught a severe cold and suffered inflammation of the lungs. She was told that she might die. Her response was, “If I am really going, it is too good to be true.” Her friends were amazed at how peacefully she faced the prospect of dying. During that year, she wrote the text for her hymn, LIKE A RIVER GLORIOUS . Three years later, while meeting with some boys to tell them of the Lord, she ran into cold,

Feb 9

LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS

The idea for this song came from Anthony Showalter. However, it was written by Elisha Hoffman. Anthony was the principal of the Southern Normal Musical Institute in Georgia and was a well-known advocate of gospel music. He published over 130 music books with combined sales of two million copies. He was also known for his singing schools in local churches. He took a personal interest in his pupils and enjoyed keeping in touch with them as the years passed. One evening a

Feb 9

LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL

Our hymn this time was written by a young graduating seminary student, Ernest W. Shurtleff. It was 1887, and his classmates recognized his poetic ability. They asked Ernest to write a hymn which they could all sing together during their commencement service. Although he published several volumes of verse and wrote additional hymns throughout his ministry, LEAD ON, O KING ETERNAL has endured the passing of time. Shurtleff served with distinction in the Congregational Ch

Feb 9

LEAD ME TO CALVARY

Jennie Hussey was born in Henniker, New Hampshire on February 8, 1874. She lived most of her life in a farmhouse that four generations of her Quaker ancestors had lived. She devoted much of her time to the care of her helpless, invalid sister. Jennie was not known to complain or grumble, but instead displayed a cheerful personality. When weary, she would open her Bible and turn to the story of Calvary and there, she would find fresh strength. Jennie eventually became di

Feb 9

JUST AS I AM

How often do we allow difficult circumstances to dictate a very temporal worldview or a short sighted and sometimes selfish focus on life? Charlotte Elliott of Brighton, England was an embittered woman. Her health was broken and her disability had hardened her. She muttered, “If God loved me, He would not have treated me this way.” In May, 1822, Dr. Cesar Malan, a Swiss minister, visited the Elliott family in hopes to help Charlotte. Over dinner, Charlotte lost her tem

Feb 9

JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

It is hard to believe that a hymn so well loved and requested would not have a known author and story. The hymn… JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE …has only speculation of a probable origin . It gained national popularity in the 1930’s, and it is widely believed that this song predates the Civil War. Some African American histories recall that slaves were heard singing a song about walking by the Lord’s side as they worked in the fields. If, in fact, the song can be attributed

Feb 3

JOYFUL, JOYFUL WE ADORE THEE

The hymn for today is very therapeutic in those darker days; it says, “Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away,” requesting God to “Lift us to the joy divine.” Born in 1852, Henry van Dyke lived a very accomplished life. He became the pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City. He later became professor of English literature at Princeton, and authored a number of books including the popular title “The Other Wise Man”. He was appoin

Feb 3

JOY TO THE WORLD

Every Christmas, we sing JOY TO THE WORLD and it does bring us happiness! It was written by Isaac Watts, who lived between 1674 and 1748. Even as a boy, Isaac displayed literary genius and an aptitude for study. At the age of 5, he was learning Latin, at nine, Greek, at eleven, French and at thirteen, Hebrew. In addition, he became known as an ardent student of theology and philosophy. While still in his teens, Watts became very dissatisfied with the deplorable, Psalm

Feb 3

JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

The name Jesus is a wonderful and meaningful name when you know Him. Our song history today is not about a traditional hymn, rather it is about a short worship song called, JESUS, NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES . The songwriter, Naida Hearn, never dreamed she would have such an impact on Christian music and singing in so many nations. In 1931, she was born to Bill and Elsie O’Hara in Palmerston North, New Zealand. As a young child, she attended a Methodist Sunday School where she

Feb 3

JESUS CALLS US O’ER THE TUMULT

Our hymn for today is another quality hymn text written by Cecil (Cecille) Francis Alexander, who was recognized as one of Great Britain’s finest women hymn writers. This text is one of the few hymns not written specifically for children; nearly all her more than 400 poems and hymns were intended for reaching children with the gospel. It was always Mrs. Alexander’s contention that spiritual truths could best be taught to children through the use of suitable songs. Her hus

Feb 3

IT TOOK A MIRACLE

John W. Peterson was a remarkable man whose autobiography, The Miracle Goes On , is a delightful read. He wrote in his story how his grandparents emigrated from Sweden and settled in Kansas. They always maintained a strong Christian testimony. Their influence on John and his brothers was meaningful as the boys watched them read their Bible, sing a song and prayer more than once each day. One by one, John’s brothers, having gone through some wild years, were converted. B

Mar 5, 2024